The first person to test positive for Ebola in New York City was diagnosed Thursday, Oct. 23.
According to NBC New York, Dr. Craig Spencer had just returned to the U.S. from West Africa, where he was helping to treat Ebola patients with the organization Doctors Without Borders.
Spencer felt fine during his return home Oct. 17. Upon flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport, he underwent careful screening. Showing no signs of Ebola, he was cleared. While he did not participate in voluntary quarantining for the virus' incubation period of 21 days, he took his own temperature twice a day, reported NBC New York.
When he woke up feeling sick with a high temperature on the morning of Oct. 23, he immediately called 911.
Medical first responders followed protocol and quickly transported the patient to Bellevue Hospital, where he will remain in a specially constructed isolated Ebola ward.
According to The New York Times, police officers are actively working to identify Spencer's recent locations. They have been screening his metro card as well as his credit cards in order to know exactly where he traveled in the days leading up to his diagnosis.
NBC New York noted that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised first responders for their outstanding actions during the medical emergency.
New England experienced heavy rain this past week, which contributed to high surf along the coast of Maine. The conditions proved dangerous for boaters and led to many incidents requiring the help of the state's Coast Guard.
According to WMTW 8, a 35-foot sailboat with no passengers on board was moved by high winds, causing it to run aground. The masts got caught on power lines connected to Southern Maine Community College. While the school experienced power outages, Coast Guard members were able to recover the boat and no serious damage occurred. WABI TV5 reported that a number of other sailboats with nobody on board have floated away from their set locations as well and were recovered near Peaks Island and Owls Head.
Coast Guard officials, assisted by Customs and Border Protection agents who were called in for backup, also rescued a man who was seen grasping onto a small skiff, headed toward the Roosevelt International Memorial Bridge, which connects Lubec, Maine, to Canada. According to WMTW 8, the passenger was immediately rushed to the hospital and is fine despite sustaining minor injuries.
Though there is no confirmed threat to the U.S., the country is increasing security after Wednesday's attack at the Canadian Parliament and War Memorial.
The Associated Press reported that the solider guarding Ottawa's National War Memorial was shot and killed. Shots were also fired inside the Parliament building.
According to a statement made by the FBI and Homeland Security security awareness has been raised to post 9/11 levels. There has been increased protection around the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, D.C., as an extra measure of safety. The U.S. Embassy's Ottawa location was also locked down following the shootings.
CNN reported that the murder of the Canadian soldier was carried out by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a Canadian citizen who was later gunned down by officials. It is still unclear why he targeted Nathan Cirillo, the Canadian servicemember charged with guarding the National War Memorial.
This incident comes after another recent attack on Canadian soldiers. According to CNN, a man struck and killed two servicemembers in Quebec with his car a week ago. The man responsible for this was a known jihadist. Though there is no evidence that these two attacks are connected, there is speculation that they both stem from radical Islamist efforts.
Obama declared in a statement that the U.S. is prepared to help Canada with its response to the issue and will remain a strong ally of the nation during this difficult time.
The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is training a team of 30 first responders that will be used as emergency back up for any Ebola cases detected within the country.
According to Military Times, the team consists of five people trained in infectious disease protocols, five doctors specializing in infectious diseases and 20 critical care nurses. All of them are servicemembers, and they come from multiple military branches. This group will be sent to any medical facilities that may encounter patients who test positive for the highly contagious virus.
The source reported that the team was assembled after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel received a request from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Topics that the emergency team will learn include how to properly use medical hazard gear and how to safely handle people infected with Ebola. Additionally, a few members will receive thorough training specific to controlling contagious hemorrhagic fevers.
Time magazine noted that these medical professionals are being prepared strictly to help U.S. hospitals in the event that they receive an infected patient. They will not be sent overseas to help anti-Ebola initiatives in West Africa.
The team will begin training at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas. They do not have an immediate assignment, but will be kept in "prepare to deploy" status after their training is complete, noted Military Times.
As a Coast Guard base in Newport, Oregon, is preparing to close on Nov. 30, local residents are fighting to keep it open.
KOIN 6 reported that a district meeting was held in the area on Oct. 20 to discuss the potential risks involved with shutting down the facility. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard attended, as well as large numbers of concerned citizens hoping to have their voices heard.
The source noted that the central concern is Newport's distance from other Coast Guard locations. If the base in question shuts down, Guard servicemembers would need to come from institutions in either North Bend or Astoria, Oregon – both of which require at least a one-hour helicopter ride. While officials tried to reassure the locals that this arrangement was a suitable option, expressions of concern and worry were overwhelming.
One of the main groups raising questions about safety was the Newport Fishermen's Wives. According to KOIN 6, the organization brought a petition to the meeting that contained over 18,000 signatures in support of keeping the base open.
KGW Portland reported that the planned shutdown is due to budget constraints. As of now, it will still take place despite local concern.
A new motorcycle training course is currently under development for members of the Marine Corps. According to Military Times, the new training will focus primarily on inexperienced drivers.
The new course is being developed by the Marine Corps' Safety Division and leaders from Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, and various other organizations.
The training will be called "REST," which stands for Riders Essential Skills Training. Safety is the essential concern of course organizers – this new initiative hopes to reduce the amount of Marine injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle use, noted the source. Monthly Marine Corps safety reports often cite motorcycle accidents as a large cause of serious wounds and even deaths.
Military Times reported that some of the key areas the lessons will touch upon include braking, cornering, tire contact and traction, personal protective equipment and hazard avoidance.
"The course is intended to function as an independent source for Marines to gain the skills required to function as safe, competent riders," stated a Marine Corps press release.
Current Marine Corps motorcycle rules require riders to take courses throughout their time using the bikes. According to Military Times, the branch is still unsure how they will incorporate REST into these pre existing lessons.
The Army is testing super-repellent uniforms developed by internal researchers in collaboration with UltraTech International to see if they can stand up to harsh conditions. According to Military Times, they have created a material they describe as "omniphobic," meaning that it will resist stains, stickiness and even odor. The product has been named Ultra-Ever Shield.
Soldiers tested army combat uniforms made from the innovative fabric in Fort Riley, Kansas. Troops were clothed in the ACUs through gun skills training, weapon cleaning, an obstacle course, vehicle maintenance and a 4-mile march. At the end of the rigorous tests and 10 washes, the uniforms remained in excellent shape.
Liquid beaded nicely on the new fabric instead of being absorbed due to a carbon-flourine coating that reduces surface tension. This is important for keeping servicemembers dry and resisting toxic chemicals that could be dangerous if soaked up.
According to Military Times, these uniforms provide environmental benefits as well. Current ACUs contain chemicals deemed unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency. The new material has no additional cost and is in accordance with the EPA's eco-friendly standards.
The new suits will reduce odor as well, noted the source. They contain an antimicrobial element that would keep them fairly fresh between washings – making them an excellent option for troops who are located in rural areas.
Researchers are unsure when Ultra-Ever Shield will be fully incorporated into Army ACUs, as further research needs to be completed. Tests will be conducted to see how the fabric performs when faced with other elements, such as fire and insects, noted Military Times.
Other uses for the material are expected to include civilian clothing, rain gear, diapers and even money, noted UltraTech.
On Oct. 17, Gen. Joe Dunford will officially be in control of the Marine Corps as the 36th commandant following a ceremony. The inaugural event will take place at Marine Barracks Washington.
According to Marine Corps Times, the ceremony will be formal and include remarks from high-ranking officials and a performance by "The President's Own" Marine Band.
Dunford is also known by the nickname Fighting Joe, which he earned serving in Iraq in 2003, when he was in charge of Regimental Combat Team-5. He was also listed as No. 8 in Fortune magazine's list of 50 greatest world leaders. A former Marine commandant told the magazine that Dunford "is probably the most complete warrior-statesman wearing a uniform today."
Dunford is familiar with his new position – he recently spent two years as assistant commandant. He was also the commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, leading both U.S. and allied troops, reported Marine Corps Times.
He will be replacing Gen. Jim Amos, who has spent the past 42 years in the Marine Corps and was the first Marine Corps aviator to become commandant. He held the position for four years, and will be entering retirement, noted the source.
Now that multiple cases of the Ebola virus have been confirmed in the U.S., the nation's first responders are gearing up to deal with the illness. While government officials have clearly stated that the risk of the virus becoming an epidemic within the country is extremely low, these emergency workers will be prepared to handle anything.
New York City
Because of its status as an international city, as well as being a typical point of entry to the U.S. from people all over the world, NYC has started taking preventative measures against Ebola. According to ABC 7 News New York, first responders at area airports have been given "High-Risk Kits," which contain biohazard bags, disinfecting wipes, face and eye masks, gloves and a gown. First responders will be called in to deal with airline passengers displaying symptoms of the contagious virus and will need this protective gear to prevent the spread of the disease. Special training has been given to ambulance workers in the region, with special instructions on how to deal with emergencies involving people who recently traveled to West Africa, where the Ebola outbreak began, noted the source.
Washington, D.C.
First responders in the nation's capital have also been involved in thorough training, with the city's officials regularly issuing memos reminding workers what to do in the event they encounter the disease. According to ABC 7 News, every emergency medical technician in the region has been equipped with hazard-prevention suits including boots, gowns and respirator masks. Nearby Dulles International Airport in Virginia will start Ebola screenings for symptomatic passengers, noted the source.
Chicago
According to NBC Chicago, the city's O'Hare International Airport is a popular destination for people traveling from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, the West African nations greatly affected by the Ebola outbreak. Because of this, first responders will screen any passengers arriving from these countries. In addition to asking them questions about their potential interactions with infected people, they will take their temperatures. Anybody showing any evidence of Ebola-like symptoms will immediately be quarantined and taken to an area hospital, reported the source.
As a part of the Soldier Enhancement Program, Army members will be involved in testing potential new gear in both Hawaii and Alaska.
According to Military Times, this program is in place to help test the quality of readily available gear instead of developing new gear, saving the service time and money.
As winter approaches, servicemembers will be examining the efficiency of cold-weather gear in Alaska. Items like stoves, tentage, gloves and sleep systems will be put to the test in the freezing temperatures. According to a statement made by Col. Tim Wallace, head of the SEP, at the Association of the United States Army's annual exposition, the military branch is in dire need of quality cold-weather items. He described the Army's current inventory as "very old."
The tropical climate tests will include trying out water purification systems, uniforms made from fast-drying material, uniforms with fewer pockets and a variety of new lightweight boot designs. These new products are being tested for troops who may deploy to humid, jungle regions such as Southeast Asia, noted the source. These trials, which will be done in Hawaii, are expected to begin January 2015.